IND vs WI: Kohli, Gill hundreds power India to thumping win in series opener

India's Virat Kohli with captain Shubman Gill, right, during the course of their partnership in the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. | Photo Credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN

This charmingly laidback city is known for its beaches caressed by the blue Arabian Sea. On Sunday, there was another sea of blue that filled the stands of the Greenfield Stadium. And those Indian fans were treated to a fascinating day, and night, of cricket.

They got to see some sparkling strokeplay from their favourite batters, and to witness a major historic feat, too. They also could celebrate an easy win for India, despite being set a competitive target in the first ODI.

India went past West Indies’ 295 for seven with eight wickets and 8.2 overs to spare, to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. Skipper Shubman Gill (110, 108b, 13x4, 1x6) and Virat Kohli (139*, 88b, 10x4, 9x6) turned the chase into a walk in the park, as they destroyed the Caribbean bowlers with flair and finesse. And there were some delectable shots from Rohit Sharma too, though he wasn’t in the best of touch.

IND vs WI, 1st ODI - AS IT HAPPENED

And it was a special day for Kohli for another reason, as he crossed 15,000 runs in ODI cricket. Only the other Indian master, Sachin Tendulkar, has climbed that mountain.

When he swivel-pulled Joseph for a four through mid-wicket, the crowd cheered loudly, as if reminding the great man that he had indeed reached that milestone; he raised his hands in acknowledgment and even allowed himself a smile. It was only fitting that Gill was at the other end, to whom he has passed the baton of great Indian batting tradition, which he had received from Tendulkar.

Virat Kohli crossed 15000 ODI runs during his 55th hundred in the format. | Photo Credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN

Kohli had joined Gill at the fall of Rohit’s wicket. Alzarri Joseph had frustrated the Mumbai stylist by bowling a series of dot balls at him in a row before making play straight to the deep-midwicket fielder. The opening-wicket stand was worth 74 in 12 overs.

Gill, who had been dropped by substitute Keemo Paul off Jayden Seals, and Kohli killed whatever hopes Shai Hope’s men may have entertained with their 151-run partnership off just 132 balls for the second wicket. After the captain departed, the former captain continued to go after the bowling was if there was no tomorrow, and completed up his 55th ODI century with a towering six off Gudakesh Motie over long-on.

Kohli’s masterclass put into the background a fine hundred by the West Indies opener Justin Greaves (101, 108b, 12x4) and a brilliant spell of spin by Kuldeep Yadav, whose four wickets restricted the West Indies innings after a first-wicket stand of 135.